Howdy Sugar Pie Sistas! Welcome to the Farmhouse and to Part 2 of Aunt Ruthie’s Question and Answer time! Due to the wonderfully overwhelming amount of comments y’all bless me with, many of which include questions, I decided to have a Q&A to answer them in one fell swoop! So let’s get started!

Q.I don’t know how you keep up with everything.A. Oh honey, there are days when I don’t! I just take one day at a time. I have a Franklin Covey Planner/Calendar Notebook and I plan and review a week ahead so I know what’s coming up, what I need to do, and to make sure I don’t miss appointments. There are those days when unexpected things happen, or spur-of-the- moment changes (like almost everyday!) where I’ve learned to go with the flow. I start my day with prayer and have to keep reminding myself this scripture… “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33.

Q.Is the white dish (w/the single piece of pie and scalloped edges) part of a set or did you find it by itself someplace special?A. The white dish is one of four that I found at a gift shop, it comes in a set. On the back it says April Cornell for Sylvestri–Ceramic Bird Dessert Plates. (There is an embossed bird in the center of the plate).

Q.Where did you find your yellow polka dot bowls, and why doesn’t Ashley (daughter) have a blog??A. I got the yellow polka dot bowl on a trip. It is made by Ronnie’s Terramoto Ceramics, you can click here to see other darling polka dot and striped bowls along with other adorable kitchenware. As for Ashley, she is busy working full time which does not leave room right now to do a blog, I will tell her you asked!

Q.How do you keep all of your decorations dust free? I dust everyday and am afraid to decorate too much for fear of collecting dust. (My daughter has allergies.) P.S. – I absolutely LOVE your website. I am in love with the “farmhouse” look.A. I use an Ostrich feather duster to remove dust. I clean much more thoroughly when I change my decor, usually for the seasons or when I’m in the mood for a new look. The great thing about “farmhouse” decor is that you can keep it really simple, yet beautiful. Think about painting walls, cupboards or wood furnishings with a fresh wash of milk-white and add just a few homespun accents… for a splash of color, hang a quilt on the wall from a curtain rod or throw it over a chair………. line up old glass milk bottles filled with salt on a shelf ….creamy-white pitchers looks simply beautiful gathered together….fill a white bowl with apples or lemons and set it on a vintage tablecloth on your kitchen table. Write a cute message on an old chalkboard with dust-free Chalk Ink Markers! I love the effect of lots of farm-fresh white, it’s so refreshing, crisp and clean looking. All of these things can be washed easily and frequently to keep them dust free. Here are some ideas from Country Living Magazine:

Q.My family blessed me with a 5.5 qt. cast iron enamel covered pan w/lid (I think it is a dutch oven?) in my favorite red and I am wondering what kinds of recipes for summer time that I can cook in it.A. One idea for you is to cook up a batch of Barbecue Beans to go with hamburgers, grilled chicken or sandwiches. I have used this super easy recipe for years and everyone loves it! It comes from my hubby’s Texas raised step-mama! (thanks Suey!)

Texas Sue’s Best Barbecue Beans

1 large can Van Camps Beans

5 strips bacon

1 onion

1 cup ketchup

1 cup brown sugar

Cook bacon and onions together, add to beans . Stir in brown sugar and ketchup. Heat until bubblin’, then eat’em up! (To cut down on the fat, you can microwave the bacon on paper towels, cook until crispy and crumble into pot of beans).

Q.I would love to know where you found your little stove and “PIE” letters on your Betty baking center?A. I’ve had the toy stove for about 20 years, I bought it at an antique store. You can find a similar one on Ebay, just type in the words “vintage toy stove”. Sometimes you can find little refrigerators to match! I got the wooden “PIE” letters at an antique store in Ozark Mo. I purchased a whole jar full of random letters, I have no idea what they were originally used for…I love the font!

Q.I made a rhubarb crumb pie for the first time and it turned out really watery…I baked it for way longer than the recipe said because it was so wiggly…any suggestions?A. I don’t know what your recipe called for as a thickener, but whenever I make a fruit pie, I always put 2 tablespoons of Minute Tapioca and two tablespoons of cornstarch in a 6 cup fruit pie. I usually have to cook a fruit pie for an hour and sometimes for another 10 minutes. The juice needs to be bubbling as thick as honey.

Q.Do you have a recipe for what my husbands grandma used to call “chicken and pastry?”A.In different parts of the South they also call this dish Chicken and Dumplin’s. My favorite recipe comes from Cracker Barrel Restaurant. Click here for the recipe.

Q.Are you going to have a blog button?A. Yes ma’am! Here it is! I would love it if you would add it to your blog, if you do, let me know and I will add your blog link to my Front Porch Friends page that we are working on! Thanks y’all soooooo much!

On my next post I will continue Part 3 of Aunt Ruthie’s Q and A time, so if you did not see your question answered, not to worry sugar it’s-a-comin’ !

Right now I want to give a shout out to my sister Sherry (Glamarella Junk) and congratulate her for being featured in Somerset Life Magazine, Belle Amorie and Porch Magazine!! Woo Hoo! Check out her line of sassy and adorable T-shirts…they are perfect to go “junk-tiquing” in!

Sherry’s Blog is Glamarella Junk, she also designs cute charm necklaces with Vintage Glam images and hand dyed slips. Sherry sells her wares on her blog and at the fabulous once a month La Maison Rustique Barn Sales in Temecula California. She has an incredible eye for design. I call her style Rustic-Romantic as she mixes vintage cottage furnishings with fresh botanicals, crisp linens, and fragrant candles. It’s a look that glows with charm!

Nice to know all the “answers”….can’t wait for the next one! Thanks for the link to the recipe for the chicken ‘n dumplin’s. My husband is from the deep south, and I should try this and see if it’s “just like mama fixed it”!!
XOXO
Joni

Hi, Aunt Ruthie!
Thanks to you and Dusty for creating such a cute blog button! I just added your button to my blog, “Country Dreams”. I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, your website, and visit here every day because it is so uplifting!

I love the bowls too. They have one’s with cherries on them that I love so will be ordering them. Thanks for the info.
I grabed a button for my blog, It is so cute! I love your website and the forum. I have learn so many things from it.
God bless you and yours!! Sharon

Oh, Thank you so much for doing the Q & A. I am going to check out that polka dot bowl! I just got me some of the chalk ink and I am having so much fun with it!
I have already added your button to my blog!

Hi Ruthann,
First of all, thanks so much for your sweet comment on Alexander’s birthday and for your kind words on my ‘family mealtime’ post…you are an encouragement! :o)
I really enjoyed this Q&A post….great stuff. I just LOVE the polka dot bowl!
Also, I did add your button to my sidebar. It’s sort of like decorating my blog with a little bit of farmhouse flavor! LOL Take care, dear friend, and enjoy your summer!
Hugs,
Amy O./picketfencemom

What a great post. Lots of great ideas. I love Cracker Barrel. I would like to know about the blue kitchen towel with the fruit on it under your lemon pie? So cute. Love this new website and the girl talk forum.

I love…love your whole world….it just grabs you and draws you in…I have this crazy urge to bake up a storm now and redecorate.
You are so inspirational…you sister is awesome as well….I actually found you through her.
Enjoy the rest of the day and thank you :)
Nerina

Ruthann, I just added your wonderful button to my page so that others can come and visit you and be inspired by your wonderful wisdom, please stop by and visit me sometimes, this week I will be doing a week in my kitchen where I will show everyone in a video what I am cooking for the week, Each day will have it’s own video, so please stop by.

HELLO MY DARLIN’ I CALLED YOU BACK AND HONEY…I MISS YA TOOOOOOOO! OK SO I LOVE LOVE LOVE THAT YOUR SHARIN’…AND MISS THING…YOU ARE SO SWEET TO DO IT! HEY GALS IT IS A TRUE TREAT FOR YOU ALL TO GET MISS AUNT RUTHIES HOW TO’S AND KNOW HOWS! THANK YOU SWEET MISS AUNT RUTHIE…NOW ON SISTA SHERRI…GIRL SHE IS ROCKEN IN THE FASHION WORLD…I JUST ORDERED ABOUT 100.00$$$ OF GOODS A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO…I LOVE IT! OK SO A GIRLS DAY REAL REAL SOON…CAN’T WAIT DARLIN…MISS YOU OOODLES…HAVE A BLESSED DAY! AND HEY I’VE GOTTA BUTTON TOO!

I like the other ladies enjoy reading your posts my only wish is that they would be more frequent. he he I know you area busy gal. Enjoy learning from you and all the great ideas, recipes and decorating ideas.
May God bless you with continued good health, joy and love. held

I love the Q and A! I am keeping the beans and chicken and dumplings recipes! And I love your answer on staying on top of things with planning and prayer. Keep up the good work blessing others with the home…my heart is in it too!

Love all the questions and love trying out your easy recipees! I have another question if it’s not too late to add one…how do you organize your recipees? I have mine in a binder but am always looking for a more efficient way! Thanks!
Ashley

Your are AWESOME! I found your blog last fall, but have never left a comment. I wanted to let you know that I have enjoyed every single post! I stayed up one night last winter until early morning reading all the post I missed before I found you. You have inspired me to be a better mom, wife, friend, cook, organized…thank you! I grabbed your blog button.

I love your blog!! I made the lemon pie for a Memorial Day get together and it went over great! I also made a cherry pie which I make every year and the crust turned out terrible! I’ve been making this same crust for years and years and it always turns out good so I don’t know what happened….. I’m looking into it. But, I have to know where you got your rooster light fixture that is above your island, I think. I’ve been looking for one just like it since I saw something similar in a magazine. Now I see it in your home and I want it. I want it now!

I see you get alot of comments so I really hope you see this. I have to know!! I love it!

Hi Ruthann,
I found your blog forever ago and am a regular reader, although this is my first time commenting. I must say you have one of the cutest…no, scratch that… THE CUTEST blog I’ve seen. It is such a delight when you have a new post…as there is absolute certainty that my eyes will have a feast of goodness! :) God has clearly given you the gifts of writing, creativity and homemaking wisdom… and it is truly a joy to see how He uses your blog to touch so many lives. Just thought it was about time I came out of the woodwork to let you know there are many of us who may not comment regularly, but find inspiration through your blog. I am proudly displaying your button on my blog and would love to be a part of your front porch friends! :)

I need someone to show me the right places to thrift shop in Missouri. Last time I was in Springfield I went out and wasn’t impressed. Obviously I hit the wrong spots.
(We go there several times a year.)

Hey girlfriend! I made your Lemon pie the other day. I’m confused…was I supposed to bake the pie with the filling in it? I must have missed that if I was. The pie was good …just a little not jelled. Send me your address…I gotcha something! And stop by and read my last 2 posts…I’ve had a major life changing experience!
Blessings!
Patti

I just love all your ideas and oh those white plates are too fabulous sweetie! It’s been such a busy Spring so far, but I had to stop in and say a big HI to my favorite blogger! I’m taking that gorgeous button of yours and adding it to my side bar right now, I love it! And what a great idea too with front porch friends! I’ve always felt like I am sitting on your porch gabbing and sharing tea every time you stop in or I’m here, you are such a blessing Ruthann!! Have a wonderful week sweetie!! I’m heading over to the Pie recipe, I meant to write that down last week, so off I go :) and p.s., your sisters site is FAB too! I have to get one of those Tee’s!!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE your blog!! I look forward to visiting here every chance I get!
You are such an inspiration.I grabbed your blog button and wrote a little post about you today.I hope that’s ok!
I’m planning on making that lemon pie tomorrow !
Enjoy your day!

Aunt Ruthie (that is so cute)– will be putting your button on my Prairie Home blog.

Another question, (I can’t remember if I already asked it) What book or magazine does the image of the farmer-tractor-dog-mom on the front porch, on your header roll come from. I LOVE all the images you have used from that source (I’m assuming the one of the prayer at dinner time is from this also.) and would like to try and find it. It looks like it’s from the 1920s or 1930s?

I’m hunting our outbuildings here on the prairie farm for a hand pump like yours so I can paint it and use it in my home decor. Love that as well.

I love your question and answer sessions. If you do another one, I would love to get your thoughts on keeping house, organized and decorating with young children (I have two boys–one four and one eight months.) Also, your children seem to be amazing people–what is some of your best parenting advice? How did you handle protecting and preparing your children for a crazy world?

Thank you so much as always for being a tremendous bright spot in my world. You are such and inspiration.

Okay, now I’ve purchased 3 of the red checked table clothes (I love them by the way), The Farm Chicks Book (How have I lived without this gem), I just got in the mail “The Messies Manual”, and now my husband is telling me that your website tips is not a section in our budget *smile*. Seriously, thanks for all the great tips, I love the things I’ve bought after you’ve shared about them here and my husband is just kidding (kinda)!!

Just love it here! I come here whenever I need a little inspiration, so thank you! If it is not too late to ask a question, I wonder how you dealt with your boys pre-teen years through teen years? Besides praying a lot, I got that part covered. My son is 11 and keeping our homey influences surrounding him is getting harder with friends. Was your house the place where all the friends gathered? How did you handle middle school and the freedom they constantly are asking for? Your kids seem like they have their priorities in order and are so loving. I just feel the changes coming and it is hard to let go a little. It is so much easier to protect them when they are little. Any wisdom that you can pass would be appreciated. Thank you for all you do! :D

What a wonderful blog you have! I just recently found your blog and I LOVE it! So much wonderful information and you’ve given me so many ideas and inspiration. I’ll definately be adding your button to my blog!

I hope I’m not too late for the Q and A section. First let me tell you what a blessing you have been to me this last week or so – that’s when I first found your website. You have encouraged me and inspired me. Would you please give some tips and a how to begin section on decorating – making a cozy home? Of course, I have the basics furniture wise but somehow it’s not that cozy. And I don’t have a lot of extra money to spend. So how does one start and do you pick one room to work on at a time? How can you do things cheaply? I appreciate any adivse you can give. I’m really challenged in this area. And my husband’s Mother was an interior decorator and his sister is also gifted in this area. I just get so discouraged in this area. I gave up for awhile but you have put the fire back in my heart. Thank you.

Hi;
First I love, love, love your blog. I also really love the sign you have above your stove that says Home Cooking… Could you share with me where you purchased this sign and how you hung it above your stove.
Thanks and keep bloggin!!!
Eileen

Hello dear Ruth! I used to read you back when you were on blogger. I haven’t been blogging a lot, but decided to get back in it and accidentally found your really cool button on another friends site, and lo and behold, here you are! I’ve added your button to my blog and it looks so pretty. What a super cool wordpress site! It’s the best I’ve seen. I just love it.
I love your words of wisdom and you motivate me to become the Queen of my Castle.
((hugggs))

`HI RU’THANN I JUST LOVE WHAT YOU CONTRIBUTE TO YOUR WEBSITE, YOUR A SPECIAL PERSON . I ALWAYS LIKE LOOKING AT HOMES. SOMETIMES I DRIVE AROUND WITH MY DAUGTHERS AND WE LOOK AT HOUSES, THEY’ VE INHERITED MY SICKNESS, THAT’S WHAT MY HUSBAND CALLS IT. ANYWAY I WOULD LOVE TO SEE MORE OF YOUR HOME BECAUSE IT LOOKS SO BEAUTIFUL. OF COURSE ENOUGH THAT WOULD NOT BE SO INTRUSIVE

Dear Aunt Ruthie,
I love your new website. Sorry I’m so late in sending out a congratulations on getting it up and running but it is simply charming. Just wanted you to know I grabbed your blog button and put it up on my blog http://www.basketmasterweavings.blogspot.com
Keep up the great work. Even though I don’t always comment I read every post.
Blessings,
Nancy

Tia Ruthie,
Gracias!
Thank you, for your button. Love the southern lov’n and all the wonderful hospitality you have shown on your blog. Or shall I say western lov’n. I’ve added your button on my blog.
Ciao for now,
from a new Sista.

Hello Ruthann,
Your blog is so homey and just full of tips and information! I’ve been receiving your updates for quite some time but wanted to let you know that I’ve just added your button to my blog. Thanks for such a fun and inspiring blog!

Could you please email me with the ingredients that you used to keep your fruit pie fillings from making the pie crust soggy? I can’t find the blog where you furnished that information. I believe that you mentioned tapica and cornstarch, but I can’t remember the amounts or kinds. I think this is just what I need to make the apple pie perfect.

I love everything about your blog: the decorating tips, vintage pictures, recipes, and old fashioned morals and values. You go, girl!

Hello…I saw your Smokey Mountain picture on the internet and was wondering if our church may have permission to use this as a back drop for our memorial cards we send out to families letting them know that a donation has been made to our church in memory of their loved one who has passed away recently.

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